The Overlook Film Festival 2024: Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person

I am fortunate to be attending this year’s Overlook Film Festival remotely and will be sharing initial thoughts on all the films I see both at The Cultural Gutter and at Monstrous Industry. First up is Ariane Louis-Seize’s Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person / Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant (Canada, 2023). CW: Suicide and suicidal ideation. Also, an artificial bat gives its life in … Continue reading The Overlook Film Festival 2024: Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person

Pearl Cheung Ling and the White-Haired Demoness

Imagine a woman raised by wolves, a martial artist with white hair caused by ancient herbology rather than age. She is called a demoness or a witch by the righteous, though she punishes the cruel and the wicked ruthlessly. She rides the wind, white hair streaming in all directions and she can tear a man apart with her whip like you or I might pull … Continue reading Pearl Cheung Ling and the White-Haired Demoness

On His Chaotic Majesty King Ghidorah

Happy Year of the Dragon, everyone! The Year of the Dragon only comes once every 12 years and I have let it slip by before without writing about my favorite dragon, well, favorite space dragon, His Chaotic Majesty, King Ghidorah. As the Year of the Dragon commences, and with Valentine’s Day just passing us by, it seems like a good time to proclaim my love. … Continue reading On His Chaotic Majesty King Ghidorah

Sex and Naps: Lessons from The Wicker Man (1973)

December 6th was the 50th anniversary of the folk horror (and Beltane holiday) classic, The Wicker Man’s release. It seems positively disreputable to let the event pass completely unmarked. So this month we are presenting an essay Carol Borden originally wrote on The Wicker Man‘s origins for CG Editor Emeritus Keith Allison at the venerable Teleport City. ~~~ On the surface, The Wicker Man (1973) is … Continue reading Sex and Naps: Lessons from The Wicker Man (1973)